Tube cutting machine



Sept. 5, 1950 o. H. GITTER TUBE CUTTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledOct. 14, 1946 INVENTOR. MR m mOMLZZ 4777M Sept. 5, 1950 o. H. GITTER2,521,003

TUBE CUTTING MACHINE Filed 001;. 14, 1946 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 3%1mm,

BY I

mMP/ZZ 77M HTTG/E/VEVASI.

Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES;

optics of Wisconsin Application octt'er i i, 19426, s'iel N6, 76:5,1'83

A 13 claims.- n

This invention relates toi'mprovements' in tube cutting machines, andmore particularly to a machine which is adapted to receive an elongatedextent of tubing of" paper board or the like, and

which functions to cut said elongat'edtubing' into shorter tubes ofdesired uniform lengths.

A general object of the invention'is" to provide a paper tuber cuttingmachine which produces" smoothly and evenly severed tubes of a desiredlength with uniformity of operation. 7

A more specific object of the inventionis .to

provide a tube cutting machine, the operation" of which is entirelycontrolled by a single foot pedal and which eliminates the need of"experienced operators.

A further object otthe inventionis to provide a tube cutting machinewherein the tubing to be cut is mountedon a mandrel equipped withexpanding jaws to releasably engage the interior of e ub e tov A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a tube cutting machine wherein;the knife or cutter; in operating, engage a hard, tungsten carbide padto insure a metal to metal contact mum cutting opeiation to therebyprovide cleanly severed edges on'the individual tubes A further objectof the invent U a tube cutting machine" wh ch the mech; anism, uponmovementqfthe knife'to an inoperative position, automaticallyefiectsrelease of the" stock.

A furthero'bject of'eleni ei tiaegg ua e tube cutting m me wh e n. i eeiqk'i uee; cut is r'otated'on'a" mandrel and i engaged with a-knifewhichisreciproeated'into'and out ofthe stock;

A further object of the inventidii isto pr oivide j a tube cuttingmachine which operates easily and very' expeditiously} which is" strongand durable, which is simple andrelatively'iriexpemi sive tomanufacture, and'which is well adapted for the purposes "described:

With the above and other: objects view,,tiie

invention consists'o f the improved jtube' cuttin machine and its partsand combinations as et forth'in the claims and-all*equiva1entsthereof.

In the accompanyingdrawings} in which the" same reference charactersindicatethesanie' parts ting machine withparts' brok'erfaway and iseatime of the outer end portion of themes wing thestock'clamping' jawsin retracted ej howmg'the" knife or cutter asstr'g'ed, fragmentary ,dtailise-f clamping aws expanded for stock en aging pur poses and;

lifeiassociated'cutter in its inner peeito' stock on themandrel'cut'thereby} elevat dira'rri' for'fthe' tube cutting machine is indi inthe bed and engaged by the pinion a I3.'.

' IE niea iis later to b'ef described, ith'rack be '4 is daptedto e; eiprocateq;transversely or the;1;ep1e, .top;|-'| ,finovinjg on'the topsurfaced the pea-1 2 on" itis slidably mounted throug li the tongue andgroove connections" IG. Mounted on' thetop of .th. ,rackfbari l4, forre-, moyal w hen necessary but'to norrrially' move'with new aper; andatthe far sideof the rackbar relativeft'o" Fig.1 1;" i'sj' an uprightstandard; H

Hi the" top 1 i lfofj the "tab supports 'a bracket 2 'I havingr'evoliibly' mo'uiited'thereoii' stock engag- 1g is across-sectionalview taken on the imi ar to Fig. 3' only showing the" a sec titntii viewtaken on mat-6'61" rtererringno'w mere particularly to the draw? WilLappear that. a supporting table or V te dfi generally byj thdnurneral"Wand said tapi mcmdesta' l upper horizontal top It on: which atits'.o1iter end there is a fixed transverse bed; [2 havingi a's'lot" thereinto accommodate a p to'r eplaceably' holdyin a substantially, 1mi tositipn; a knife or cutterelement 1.8:? ndardfl ranon spivetsnyaffixeatherew erieiid fo'f guard-arm :ew ho'se outer end lublymiitedthereon akiiife'protecting" ment is such that a downward movementof the foot treadle 21 exerts a down pull on the connection "26 tooscillate the rod 24 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, turningthe pinion |3 in the same direction to slide the rack bar l4 toward theleft, relative to Fig. 2. Such depression of the foot treadle 21 isagainst the tension of a coiled spring 29 with the result that whenpressure on the foot treadle is released, the spring will automaticallyreturn the foot treadle to its raised position and through theconnection 26, the rod 24 will be oscillated in the opposite direction.

Mounted on the inner end of the table top H are upright bearing brackets30 which rigidly support a horizontal, tubular mandrel 3|.

A central shaft, which extends axially of the mandrel 3| and whichprojects beyond the inner end thereof, is indicated by the numeral 32.On roller bearings carried by the shaft 32 adjacent the inner end of themandrel 3| is a cam 33 having a lateral lug 34 engaged by the upperangled end of a connection 35. The other extremity of said connection 35is likewise angled and is pivotally engaged with an arm 36 fast on theinner end of the oscillatable arm 24, whereby motion is imparted to thecam 33. The inner end of the mandrel 3| adjacent the eccentric face ofthe cam 33, carries a U-collar 37 having revolubly mounted thereon camrollers 38. through the connections described, the cam 33 is turned soas to engage the high points of its cam surface with the rollers 38, thecam will reciprocate slightly toward the left, relative to Fig. 1,causing the cam 33 to abut against an idler pulley 39 which is revolublymounted loosely on the shaft 32.

There is afiixed to the inner face of the idler pulley 39 a clutch plate40 and the initial axial movement of the idler pulley 39 causes theclutch plate 50 to compress a coiled spring 4| surrounding an outer endportion of the shaft 32 and hearing against a cap 43 which is fast tothe outer end of said shaft 32. This reciprocates the shaft 32 to theleft, relative to Fig. l, for a purpose later to be described. Furthermovement of the pulley 39 toward the left on the shaft 32 causes theclutch plate 40 to frictionally' engage the adjacent face of a clutchdisc 44 which is secured fast relative to the shaft 32, causing saidshaft to revolve by virtue of endless driving belts 45 engaging thepulley 39 and also engaging a pulley 46 'on the shaft of an electricmotor 41.

At the outer end of the shaft 32 there is operatively mounted on theshaft an expanding jaw assembly retained against outward axialdisplacement by a cap 48. Keyed to the shaft 32 is an annular wedgemember 49 whose sleeve portion, at its inner end, has an outer, taperedsurface 50 to wedgingly engage similarly tapered inner surfaces on thehub portions 5| of jaw segments 52. There is also keyed to the shaft 32the hub portion of a bushing 53 having an outwardly offset annularportion which extends into rece'sses54 therefor in the jaw segments 52.The jaw segments 52 are radially movably mounted on the offset portionof the bushing 53 by fiilister head screws 55 located in enlargedrecesses 56 therefor.

From the description thus far given of the expanding jaw assembly, itshould be obvious that a reciprocation of the shaft 32 to the left,relative to Fig. 1, through the means previously described, is effectiveto cause movement of the wedge member 49 from its outer normal positionof Fig. 3 to its inner jaw expanding position of Fig. 5.

Consequently, when,

- member 49.

In so moving, the wedge member 43 compresses a coiled spring 51 confinedin a space between the flanged head of the wedge member 49 and aninturned annular flange on a casing member 58 which is in splinedassociation with the wedge The jaw segments 52 are yieldingly held intheir normal retracted positions by encircling band springs 59 When thewedge member 49 ismoved inwardly to the position of Fig. 5, it forcesthe jaw segments 52 radially outwardly so that their outer knurledsurfaces project beyond the outer periphery of the mandrel 3| toclampingly engage the inner surface of elongated cylindricaltube-forming stock 60 which had previously been axially slid onto themandrel 3|.

The numeral 6| indicates a stock stop and gauge whose main plate portionis adapted to be registered with the outer end of the stock 60, saidplate portion being carried by an arm 52 mounted fast on the upper endof a shaft 63 journalled for rotation and for longitudinal adjustment inthe frame. A turning movement imparted to the shaft 53 will be effectiveto swing the stop plate portion free of the outer end of the stock forremoval of a severed tube or for insertion on the mandrel of the stock,while a longitudinal movement of the shaft 63 is effective to adjust theposition of the stop and gauge for determining the length of tubes to beout from the stock 60.

In the operation of the improved tube cutting machine, with the plateportion of the stop 6| initially swung to an out of the way position,the elongated extent of tube forming stock 60 is slid axially onto themandrel 3 The stop member is then adjusted in accordance with the lengthof individual tubes desired and the tubing stock on the mandrel is thenslid so as to abut the plate portion of the stop 6| which has beenturned to its operative position, as in Fig. 1. A depression of the foottreadle 57 by the operator will be effective immediately, through themeans previously described, to move the shaft 32 to the left, relativeto Fig. 1, whereupon through the means previously described, the jaw'segments 52 will be expanded outwardly radiallyto tightly engage theinner surface of the tub ing stock 60, as in Fig. 5. Because of theengagement of the clutch plate 40 with the clutch disc 44, as previouslydescribed, the shaft 32 will then be rapidly revolved by the motor 41,also turning the stock 60 on the stationary mandrel. Further downwardmovement of the foot treadle 21 is effective through the connection 26,the rod 24, the pinion l3, and the rack teeth |5 to quickly move therack toward the left, relative to Fig. 2, passing the edge of the cutter|8 through stock 60 to sever a tube of a desired length from the stock.In passing through the revolving stock, the edge of the cutter l8 willengage a hard block or pad of metal 64 (see Figs. 4 and 6) whichprovides metal to metal contact and insures a clean edge out. Saidmetallic pad 64 is carried by the mandrel 3| immediately inwardly of theexpanding jaws and in alinement with the path of movement of the cutterl8. Upon completion of the cut, the foot treadle is released and as aresult, the clutch disc 44 is disengaged to break the drive to the shaft32 and low portions of the surface of the cam 33 engage the rollers 38with the result that the spring 4| will transmit an expanding forceeffective to reciprocate the shaft 32 toward the right relative to Fig.1 and the wedge member 43 on the outer endof the shaft-32 is. returned,under the influence of the spring 51 toltl'ie position of Fig. 3 whichpermits the retraction of the jaw segments 52. The stock El as-well asthe severed outer end thereof forming the-tube, are released and uponmovementof the stop. 6 I to an out of the Way position, the cut tubemaybe quickly releaesd, whereupon the remaining extent of stock Kit ismoved outwardly on the mandrel to abut the stop 6! andeverything is inorder for repeating the cycle. The cycle is repeated until all of thestock fill-has been severed into tubes whereupon a new extent-of'stockis mounted on the mandrel.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the improved tubecutting machine is easily operated, provides for the. rapid severance oftubes of desired lengths from an elongated extent of stock, and ,iswelladaptedfor the purposes described.

What is claimed as theinvention is:

1. A tube cutting machine, comprising a mandrel for supporting anelongated extent of tubing stock from which individual tubes of apredetermined length are to be cut, means for releasably clamping thestock, means for rotating said stock, a cutter mounted laterally of themandrel, means for moving the cutter back and forth into and out of therotating stock, and a single lever controlling operation of said stockrotatin means, said clamping means and said cutter moving means.

2. A tube cutting machine, comprising a mandrel for supporting anelongated extent of tubing stock from which individual tubes of apredetermined length are to be cut, means for releasably clamping thestock, means for rotating said stock, a cutter mounted laterally of themandrel, means for moving the cutter back and forth into and out of therotating stock, and a single lever controlling operation of said stockrotating means, said clamping means and said cutter moving means insequential order.

3. A tube cutting machine, comprising a mandrel for supporting anelongated extent of tubing stock from which individual tubes of apredotermined length are to be cut, expanding jaws adjacent the mandrelfor releasably engaging the stock, means for rotating said jaws andstock, a cutter mounted laterally of the mandrel, means for moving thecutter back and forth into and out of the rotating stock, and a commonlever controlling operation of said rotating means, said jaws and saidcutter moving means.

4. A tube cutting machine, comprising a stationary mandrel forsupporting an elongated extent of tubing stock from which individualtubes of a predetermined length are to be cut, means spacedly andadjustably mounted adjacent the outer end of the mandrel forming a stockstop and gauge, expanding jaws revolubly mounted adjacent the mandrelfor releasably engaging the stock, means for rotating said jaws andstock, a cutter mounted laterally of the mandrel, means for moving thecutter back and forth into and out of the rotating stock, and a commonlever controlling operation of said rotating means, said jaws and saidcutter moving means.

5. A tube cutting machine, comprising a mandrel for supporting an extentof tubing stock, means for releasably clamping the stock, means forrotating said stock, a cutter, means for moving said cutter into and outof the rotating stock, a hard metal pad carried by the mandrel in thepath of movement of the cutter to be enlid 6' gaged by the latt rafter-passing through-the stock, and means for eontrcuing the operationsof-saidstock rotating means, saidclamping means and said cutter movingmeans: in syn chrony.

6. A tube cutting machine,-coinprising a mam drel for supporting anvelongated extentof. tubingstock from which individual tubes ofa prdetermined length are to be'cut, means spadly andadjustably-mountedadjacentthe oiiter end of the mandrel forming astocksto'p and gauge, expanding jaws. revolubly mounted adjacentthemandrel for releasably engaging the stock, means for rotating-said jawsand sto'ck,--a cutter mot t-'- ed laterally 'ofthe mandrel, means; formev rig the cutter -backand forth into and out of the rotating stock, ahard metal pad carrie'd bytes mandrel -in. the path ofmovement of thecutter to be contacted by thelatter passing-through the stock, and" acommon lever controllingop eration' of said rotating means, said jaweand said cutter moving .ineans in synchrony.

'7. In-a tubecutting machinma tubular steel: supporting mandrel, ashaftextending axially through said: mandrel, the shaft bei rig reciprdcatable and-rotatable relative to' the mandrel, drive means extending tothe shaft, expansile and contractile stock clamping jaws associated withthe shaft, means carried by the shaft for operating said jaws and forcontrolling said drive means operated by reciprocatory movement of saidshaft, and a cutter movable into and out of stock rotated on saidmandrel.

8. In a tube cutting machine, a tubular, stock supporting, stationarymandrel, a shaft extending axially through said mandrel, the shaft beingreciprocatable and rotatable relative to the mandrel, drive meansextending to the shaft, expansile and contractile stock clamping jawscarried by the shaft, means carried by the shaft for operating said jawsand for controlling said drive means operated by reciprocatory movementof said shaft, a cutter, means for moving said outter into and out ofstock rotated by said clamp ing jaws, and common means for reciprocatingsaid shaft and for operating said cutter moving means.

9. In a tube cutting machine, a tubular stock supporting mandrel, ashaft extending axially through said mandrel, the shaft beingreciprocatable and rotatable relative to the mandrel, drive meansextending to the shaft, expansile and contractile stock clamping jawsadjacent the mandrel, means carried by the shaft for operating androtating said jaws and for controlling said drive means operated byreciprocatory movement of said shaft, a cutter, means for moving saidcutter into and out of stock rotated by said clamping jaws, and a singlecontrol treadle for reciprocating said shaft and for operating saidcutter moving means in timed relation.

10. In a tube cutting machine, a tubular stock supporting mandrel, ashaft extending axially through said mandrel, the shaft beingreciprocatable and rotatable relative to the mandrel, drive meansextending to the shaft, a clutch controlling said drive means, expansileand contractile stock clamping jaws carried by the shaft, means carriedby the shaft for operating said jaws and said clutch, and a cuttermovable into and out of stock rotated with said clamping jaws.

11. In a tube cutting machine, a tubular stock supporting mandrel, ashaft extending axially through said mandrel, the shaft beingreciproeatable and rotatable relative to the mandrel, means for rotatingsaid shaft, a clutch controlling operation of said rotating means, stockclamping jaws associated with the mandrel, jaw operating means carriedby the shaft and operated by reciprocations of the latter, means forengaging and disengaging said clutch, engagement and disengagement ofthe clutch serving to reciprocate the shaft in reverse directions, and acutter movable into and out of stock rotated by said clamping jaws withsaid shaft.

12. In a tube cutting machine, a tubular, stationary stock supportingmandrel, a. shaft extending axially through said mandrel, the shaftbeing reciprocatable and rotatable relative to the mandrel, means forrotating said shaft, a clutch controlling operation f said rotatingmeans, stock clamping jaws carried by the shaft, jaw operating meanscarried by the shaft and operated by reciprocations of the latter, meansfor operating said clutch, means effected by operation of the clutch forreciprocating said shaft, a cutter, a reciprocatable mounting for thecutter whereby the latter is movable into and out common means foroperating said clutch and for controlling operation of saidreciprocatable mounting.

13. In a tube cutting machine, a frame, a stationary mandrel on whichstock to be severed into tubes is mounted, said mandrel being supportedby the frame, means for rotating stock on the mandrel, a clutchcontrolling said rotating means, a cutter carriage on the frame, meansfor reciprocating said cutter carriage in a path at right angles to theaxis of the mandrel, an oscillating rod mounted on the frame andconnected to both said clutch and said carriage reciprocating means foroperating the same, and a manually operated member extending to said rodfor oscillating it.

ORVILLE H. GITTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,491,140 Holt Apr. 22, 19241,581,051 Gardner Apr. 13, 1926 1,643,157 Gardner Sept. 20, 1927

